I am the first to classify myself as a geek. I wear the moniker as a badge of honor, rather than one of shame.

Yet, at times I do find myself embarrassed, not because of my geekiness, but rather because my geekiness is both limited and selective. I will eagerly discuss the reboot of “The Best Show of All Time,” also know as “Battlestar Galactica;" Han absolutely shot first; I aim to misbehave. I enjoy “dressing up” as a zombie; I have a soft spot for sweet transvestites from Transsexual, Transylvania; I call my boyfriend “my Dark Knight.”

But I can’t say much about about Bioshock or Skyrim – video games, right? – or “Akira,” or most other anime. Every year, at Dragon*Con, when I get nearly overrun by throngs outfitted in goggles, petticoats and pocket watches or waving mechanical arms, legs and weaponry, I simply snap photos in awe.

S.T.E.A.M.Fest is the Steampunk Theater, Entertainment, Arts & Music Festival. It began in 2008 by the Academy Theatre in Avondale Estates, a small community adjacent to Atlanta, to celebrate the “artistic ability of those who toy with alternate history and retro-futurism."

I was at the steampunk-centric, two-day festival last weekend to support the geeks-in-their-own-right Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization that performs works in radio show format: Sound effects, voice actors at upright microphones, even the occasional commercial or musical performance.

I’m an occasional voice actor with the groups, and a member of the theater company member penned a 30-minute script that involved crossing dimensions, airships and romance – all frequent themes within the steampunk realm.

That’s about what I know.

Oh, and gears. There are lots of contraptions with gears. Not to mention steam.

For me, I thought the highlight would be multiple showings of the original, painted version of Georges Méliès’ film “A Trip to the Moon,” hand-colored by Méliès himself in 1902. (Squee!)

Lauren Berkley competes against her friend John Washburn in a "tea duel" at S.T..E.A.M.Fest, overseen by Tiffin Master Wilhelmina Frame.

Yes, you read that correctly: Tea dueling. If “what the what?!” is running through your head right now, rest assured it was running through mine, at the time. I stumbled upon the duel by accident and then a friend volunteered me.

The duel – or “Tiffin Party” – was overseen by a Tiffin Master who told us to select our weapons – in this case, tea biscuits on a platter. For the remainder of the duel, we could only hold our biscuits between a thumb and forefinger. At the Tiffin Master’s cue, we dipped the biscuits three-quarters of the way into cups of hot tea, while the Tiffin Mistress counted to five. Each combatant then removed the biscuit with as little movement as possible, hoping to be the last one to get the biscuit completely in his or her mouth before it crumbled or broke. If that occurred, then a victorious “clean nom” was achieved.

This game was much more fun than it should have been, especially for a group of people who were (mostly) sober.

But I still didn’t really understand: What IS steampunk? And why?

The lure of do-it-yourself is a huge component in the steampunk world, as most participants create their own costumes, props and weapons themselves.

While it began as Victorian-era science-fiction, Doctor Quartermain, founder of steampunk community The Artifice Club, believes it is a “modern expression of a love for the past, with the clear intent of bringing the past into the future.” It's playing a "What If" with history with others, he told me, while being heavily focused on DIY.

Matthew Silva, owner and co-founder of Penny Dreadful Productions, said it offers an open, creative playing field that’s still a community to be a part of. It also offers something few other creative aesthetics do: A family-friendly atmosphere.

“The Goth movement, for example, is very dark; it’s full of despair and death,” Silva said. “What parent is going to tell their child not to wear a three-piece suit and have a tea party? What parent is going to tell their child not to have manners?”

It is true; steampunk seems the most polite genre, as all weekend long I was motioned first through doorways by dapper men and young boys in suits and frequently referred to as “milady.”

After immersing myself in steampunk all weekend, I left with a greater appreciation for it, but realized, too, why it just doesn’t “appeal” to me.

For one, I am not a DIY-er. I act, I sing, I dance, I write, but I cannot darn a sock to save my life. I cannot draw, let alone work leather or metal or even plastics. I just do not have the time, money, and admittedly, the desire to even start the process in learning how to create, to build, to sew.

But there’s this: Anything can become steampunk. Steampunk Dr. Xavier, Steampunk Sabretooth, and Steampunk Magneto all made an appearance at the festival. So did Steampunk Snow White and “Steamerella.”

The only thing required, according to the dozens I spoke to, is a love of “a time gone by.” That love spurs them to recreate a more courteous and more inventive experience in the present-day, by “modifying” current technologies with the deepest appreciation.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt like I was born in the wrong era. My fashion, music, and film tastes all lean heavily toward the 1920s-1940s, so I can respect and understand the desire for a steampunk way of life.
I might not be drawn to high collars, bustles, antique revolvers or steam-powered wheelchairs, but it sure is a lot of fun to time travel.

After all, it’s not like dressing like a bloody, flesh-crazed zombie is for everyone, either.

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April 26, 2012 at 4:33 pm |

Loren

Read "The Difference Engine".

April 20, 2012 at 10:44 am |

Lauren Berkley

My steampunk friend told me it's one of the things that influenced him/gravitated him toward the steampunk world. I'll have to check it out, thanks!

April 20, 2012 at 10:50 am |

Moner

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October 12, 2012 at 10:56 am |

Monet

I would like to dress my 15 Month old boy but im not seeing many references when i google it, any idea of a site i can go to?? They have more pics of baby girls than boys. leSigh

April 20, 2012 at 10:16 am |

Emily Simmons

Great article Lauren! I have always been fascinated by steampunk. Have you seen the Castle episode about it?

April 20, 2012 at 7:15 am |

Lauren Berkley

Thanks, Emily!! And yes, I *think* I have...I'm behind on the current season, but it was part of last season, wasn't it? In the cabaret-type club?

April 20, 2012 at 8:14 am |

Emily Simmons

Season 3 Episode 4 of Castle. He visits a NYC Steampunk Club. It is awesome. Next time you go, bring me with you!!

April 20, 2012 at 10:03 am |

werewolfcowgirl

I got to admit – I am a steampunk who does not make anything either. I am fortunate to know plenty of wonderful craftspeople though who through their hard work and my sourcing of thrift stores I have my Adventuring Lady outfit. I love Steampunk because it teaches us that the future is only the choices of the past and we can change it. In the Las Vegas Steampunk Tea Society we have everyone from children to Grandpas – there is no age. Honestly it's the one place I have seen people from all walks of life, religion, politics, gender and creed come together under a love of Yesterday's Tomorrow.

April 20, 2012 at 1:20 am |

Lauren Berkley

I definitely have to agree with you about being an all-encompassing & all-welcoming group!🙂

April 20, 2012 at 8:17 am |

Mahmoud

I'm glad you learned a lot from this NaNo. I've had mriseable Novembers before where I don't feel like I learned much, and that's just so much worse. This sounds really good, despite not using it in the future. So well done!

August 5, 2012 at 1:30 am |

Charleson Mambo

While there are many Makers within Steampunk you don't have to be one to enjoy Steampunk. Singing, dancing and writing make for a more than ample skill set to bring to Steampunk.

As for being more in tune with the 20's and 40's, then maybe you should check out Dieselpunk.

April 20, 2012 at 1:07 am |

Lauren Berkley

Oooh! I think I've only heard the term "Dieselpunk" once and a long while ago. Tell me more!!🙂

Dieselpunk is still retro-futurism but the technology is based on WW1 and WW2 instead of the Victorian age. Think tanks, submarines, Rosie the Riveter, gangsters, old-timey automobiles, that kind of stuff. One of our characters is based on the dieselpunk era and goes around with grenades strapped to him, and an anti-airship gun.

April 20, 2012 at 10:47 am |

Pecktec

Dragon*con can be a mob scene. I introduced my mom to Steampunk last weekend and this was a much easier way to do it. With quality entertainment for all tastes engaging round table discussions and fantastic venders there was a lot to see and do.

It was quite a surprise to see you at STEAMFest, but I'm thrilled that you enjoyed yourself! It was quite a fun weekend, and I'm surprised about how many awesome people I have continued to meet in this community.

April 19, 2012 at 10:52 pm |

Lauren Berkley

Thank you for the warm welcome and the chance to get a glimpse into your world!🙂

April 20, 2012 at 8:15 am |

Lauren Berkley

Thanks, J Heady! Be sure to "recommend" this page, too, Everyone!❤

April 19, 2012 at 10:33 pm |

jheady

Great meeting you, Lauren! Great work on the blog.

April 19, 2012 at 10:27 pm |

Lauren Berkley

Oh, and PLEASE be sure to share, tweet, etc! Geek Out depends on passionate and social media-active geeks like yourselves!🙂

April 19, 2012 at 10:24 pm |

Lauren Berkley

Thank you, Delilah!! Best of luck to you, and I still have your book! Thinking of bringing it with me when I fly out to Phoenix on Saturday!🙂 And Victoria, if it's one thing I learned during my weekend at STEAMFest, it's that you're NEVER too old (or young!) to participate!🙂

April 19, 2012 at 10:22 pm |

delilahsdawson

Thanks so much for joining us. It was great to meet you, and I'm still desperately jealous of your fez!

April 19, 2012 at 10:10 pm |

viejo

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May 24, 2012 at 10:49 am |

Victoria

I love steam-punk!! I'm too old to really participate.... I'm an old hippie. But I love the fashion!! Beautiful!! Great article!

April 19, 2012 at 9:46 pm |

Lauren Berkley

Victoria, if it's one thing I learned during my weekend at STEAMFest, it's that you're NEVER too old (or young!) to participate!🙂

About this Blog

It takes one to know one. When it comes to topics of interest to nerds, geeks, and superfans, we know how true that is. Geek Out! features stories from a nerd's perspective that you can still share with your "normal" friends and family.